1-THE
CITY OF ROME IS DESTROYED WITH FIRE

(Commentary)

The
destruction of the city of Rome comes in one hour. She is burnt with fire. God
judges her. She shall be thrown down with violence. There will be great crying
over her by many that made their living through commerce or trade.
It appears Rome will be destroyed some time during the second
part of the Tribulation, though it is not clear if it will be at the same time
that the whore is destroyed.

(Scripture with commentary)

Rev
14:8-AND THERE FOLLOWED ANOTHER ANGEL, SAYING, BABYLON (the Great) IS FALLEN,
IS FALLEN, THAT GREAT CITY, BECAUSE SHE MADE ALL NATIONS DRINK OF THE
(maddening) WINE OF THE WRATH (or passion) OF HER FORNICATION (or adulteries,
or immorality) (or God's fury caused by her whoring-JNT94).
Rev 18:1-AND AFTER THESE THINGS I SAW ANOTHER ANGEL COME
DOWN FROM HEAVEN, HAVING GREAT POWER (or authority); AND THE EARTH WAS LIGHTENED
(or illuminated) WITH HIS GLORY (or splendor). Some believe this angel could
be Jesus; however, the angel is not identified. This angel has great power.
As a result of this angel coming down, the earth is illuminated. The exact time
that this happens is also unclear.
Rev 18:2-AND HE CRIED (or shouted) MIGHTILY WITH A STRONG
VOICE, SAYING, BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN. The word "Babylon"
is first used in the Revelation, in 14:8. It is also used in Rev 16:19; 17:5;
18:2,10,21. In Rev 18:10, 21, the term "Babylon" is clearly the city,
which we currently call Rome. In Rev 17:5, Babylon represents the "mother
of harlots" or the "great whore." The two are shown to be inseparable.
We can surmise from this, when the term "Babylon is
fallen" is used, it is referring to the "great whore." When the
term "is fallen" is used the second time, it denotes the city. Thus,
it may be said, The great whore is fallen, and the city of Rome is fallen. The
second "is fallen" could also represent the Babylon of old.
Rev 17:18 identifies the WOMAN as THAT GREAT CITY,
WHICH REIGNETH OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH.
That GREAT CITY is repeated in Rev 18:10,16,18,19,
and 21. The great city is Rome.
Rev 18:2-AND HE CRIED MIGHTILY WITH A STRONG VOICE, SAYING,
BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN, AND (she) IS BECOME THE HABITATION (or
home) OF DEVILS (or demons), AND THE HOLD (or haunt, or prison) OF EVERY FOUL
(or evil, or unclean) SPIRIT, AND A CAGE (or haunt, or prison) OF EVERY UNCLEAN
AND HATEFUL (or hated, or detestable) BIRD. The judgment of Babylon (or Rome)
is revealed in Rev 18:8. In one hour, she shall be burnt with fire. Following
her destruction, Rome becomes the home of devils, and the prison of every foul
spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Rev 18:21, shows that
the city will not be found anymore.
Note the words:
"home" of devils
"haunt or prison" of every unclean spirit
"cage, or haunt, or prison" for every unclean and
hateful bird
Rev 18:4-AND I HEARD ANOTHER VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING. This
"another voice" covers from v.4-24.
Only in v.21 is there an interruption.
This voice said, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, THAT YE BE NOT
PARTAKERS (or share) OF HER SINS, AND THAT YE RECEIVE NOT (or will not be infected)
OF (any of) HER PLAGUES. God's people are being given a commandment, even a
very stern warning: come out of Babylon. Then God gives the reason. By remaining
in Babylon, they will be a partaker of or share in her sins. By remaining in
Rome, the disobedient saints will be destroyed right along with the city of
Rome and the Roman Catholic Church.
Rev 18:5-FOR HER SINS HAVE REACHED (or are a sticky mass
piled up JNT95) UNTO HEAVEN, AND GOD HATH REMEMBERED HER INIQUITIES
(or crimes). This is not to say that God had ever forgotten her sins, but rather
that the time for her judgment, (for the sins of the woman, or Rome) is at hand.
God has remembered her blasphemy, her fornication, her sorceries, her self-glory
and confidence. God has remembered her persecution and her drunkenness with
the blood of the saints. God has remembered that in her was found the blood
of saints, prophets, and even apostles.
Rev 18:6-REWARD (or give back to) HER EVEN AS SHE REWARDED
(or rendered to) YOU, AND DOUBLE (or give back) UNTO HER DOUBLE ACCORDING TO
HER WORKS (or what she has done): IN THE CUP WHICH SHE HATH FILLED (or use the
cup in which she has brewed-JNT96) FILL TO HER DOUBLE (sized drink
or double portion). The woman's sins have accumulated over a very long period
of time. God will see that she is paid back double for all that she has done.
Rome is destroyed.
Rev 18:7-HOW MUCH SHE (the city) HATH GLORIFIED HERSELF (or
glory and luxury she gave herself-NIV), AND LIVED DELICIOUSLY, SO MUCH TORMENT
(or torture) AND SORROW (or grief) GIVE HER: FOR SHE SAITH (or boasts) IN HER
HEART, I SIT A QUEEN, AND (I) AM NO WIDOW, AND (I) SHALL SEE NO SORROW (or will
never mourn). Rome has glorified herself and lived deliciously. Rome says in
her heart she will see no sorrow.
Rev 18:8-THEREFORE SHALL HER PLAGUES COME IN ONE (single)
DAY, DEATH, AND MOURNING (sorrow), AND FAMINE; AND SHE SHALL BE UTTERLY BURNED
(or consumed) WITH FIRE: FOR STRONG (or mighty) IS THE LORD GOD WHO JUDGETH
HER.
Rev 18:10-IN ONE HOUR IS THY JUDGMENT COME.
Rev 18:17-IN ONE HOUR…RICHES COME TO NOUGHT.
Rev 18:19-IN ONE HOUR IS SHE MADE DESOLATE|
Rev 18:21-WITH VIOLENCE the city is thrown down.
Several things appear to be different here in comparing the
destruction of the city of Rome with the annihilation of the Roman Catholic
Church.
Rome is destroyed in one hour of one day. The length of time
for the destruction of the whore is not given.
Rome's destruction includes death, mourning, famine, and
being utterly burned with fire. Regarding the whore's destruction, only being
burnt with fire is mentioned.
Rome's destruction is of the Lord Who judges her-Rev 18:8.
The destruction of the whore is by the ten kings, to fulfill
the will of God. (Note Rev 17:15-17.) (Note Rev 18:2.) The whore’s judgment
is of the Lord-ref Rev 19:2.

Rev
18:9-AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH, WHO HAVE COMMITTED FORNICATION (or went whoring,
or committed adultery with her) AND LIVED DELICIOUSLY (or shared her luxury)
WITH HER, SHALL BEWAIL HER, AND LAMENT (or sob, or weep and mourn) FOR HER,
WHEN THEY SHALL SEE THE SMOKE OF HER BURNING (as she burns),
Rev 18:10-STANDING AFAR OFF (or at a distance) FOR THE FEAR
(or terrified) OF HER TORMENT, SAYING, ALAS, ALAS (or Oh no!-JNT97)
(or Woe! Woe), THAT GREAT CITY BABYLON, THAT MIGHTY CITY (or city of power)!
FOR IN ONE (single) HOUR IS THY JUDGMENT (or doom) COME.

Rev
18:11-AND THE MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH (or world's businessmen) SHALL WEEP AND
MOURN OVER HER; FOR NO MAN BUYETH THEIR MERCHANDISE (or cargoes) ANY MORE.

4-THE
MERCHANDISE OF THE WOMAN

Rev
18:12-THE MERCHANDISE (or stocks, or cargoes) OF GOLD, AND SILVER, AND PRECIOUS
STONES (or gems), AND OF PEARLS, AND FINE LINEN, AND PURPLE, AND SILK, AND SCARLET
(cloth), AND ALL THYINE (or citron, or rare) WOOD, AND ALL MANNER VESSELS (or
articles) OF IVORY, AND ALL MANNER VESSELS OF MOST PRECIOUS (or scented, or
costly) WOOD, AND OF BRASS (or bronze), AND IRON, AND MARBLE,
Rev 18:13-AND CINNAMON, AND ODOURS (or cardamom, or spice,
or incense), AND OINTMENTS (myrrh), AND FRANKINCENSE, AND WINE, AND OIL, AND
FINE FLOUR, AND WHEAT (or grain), AND BEASTS (or cattle), AND SHEEP, AND HORSES,
AND CHARIOTS, AND SLAVES (or bodies), AND SOULS OF MEN.
Rev 18:14-AND THE FRUITS THAT THY SOUL LUSTED (or longed)
AFTER ARE DEPARTED (or gone) FROM THEE, AND ALL THINGS WHICH WERE DAINTY AND
GOODLY (or the luxury and flashiness, or your riches and splendor) ARE DEPARTED
(or vanished) FROM THEE (or have been destroyed), AND THOU SHALT FIND THEM NO
MORE AT ALL.

5-THE
MERCHANTS OF THESE THINGS SHALL SAY

Rev
18:15-THE MERCHANTS (or sellers) OF THESE THINGS, WHICH WERE MADE RICH (or gained
their wealth) BY HER, SHALL STAND AFAR OFF (or at a distance) FOR THE FEAR (or
terrified) OF HER TORMENT, WEEPING AND WAILING,
Rev 18:16-AND SAYING, ALAS, ALAS (or Oh no!-JNT98)
(or Woe! Woe), THAT GREAT CITY, THAT WAS CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN, AND PURPLE,
AND SCARLET, AND DECKED (or glittered) WITH GOLD, AND PRECIOUS STONES, AND PEARLS!
Rev 18:17-FOR IN ONE HOUR SO GREAT RICHES (or such great
wealth) IS COME (or brought) TO NOUGHT (or ruined).

6-THOSE
OF THE SEA CRIED

Rev
18:17 continued-AND EVERY SHIPMASTER (or sea captain), AND ALL THE COMPANY (or
who travel) IN SHIPS, AND (the) SAILORS, AND AS MANY AS TRADE (or make their
living) BY (the) SEA, STOOD AFAR OFF (or at a distance),
Rev 18:18-AND CRIED (or exclaim) WHEN THEY SAW THE SMOKE
OF HER BURNING, SAYING, WHAT CITY IS LIKE UNTO THIS GREAT CITY!
Rev 18:19-AND THEY CAST (or threw) DUST ON THEIR HEADS, AND
CRIED, WEEPING AND WAILING, SAYING, ALAS, ALAS (or Oh no!-JNT99)
(or Woe! Woe), THAT GREAT CITY, WHEREIN WERE MADE RICH ALL THAT HAD SHIPS IN
THE SEA BY REASON OF HER COSTLINESS (or abundance of her wealth)! FOR IN ONE
HOUR IS SHE MADE (or brought) DESOLATE (or ruined).

7-REJOICE
OVER HER, THOU HEAVEN, APOSTLES, AND PROPHETS

Rev
18:20-REJOICE OVER HER, THOU HEAVEN, AND YE (people of God or saints) HOLY APOSTLES
(or emissaries) AND PROPHETS; FOR GOD HATH AVENGED (or vindicated) YOU ON HER
(for the way she treated you-NIV).

8-WITH
VIOLENCE BABYLON SHALL BE THROWN DOWN

Rev
18:21-AND A MIGHTY ANGEL TOOK UP A STONE (or boulder) LIKE A GREAT MILLSTONE,
AND CAST (or hurled) IT INTO THE SEA, SAYING, THUS WITH VIOLENCE SHALL THAT
GREAT CITY BABYLON BE THROWN (or hurled) DOWN, AND SHALL BE FOUND NO MORE AT
ALL.

9-THESE
SHALL BE FOUND NO MORE IN THE CITY

Rev
18:22-AND THE VOICE (or sound) OF HARPERS, AND MUSICIANS, AND OF PIPERS (or
flute players), AND TRUMPETERS, SHALL BE HEARD NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE; AND NO
CRAFTSMAN (or worker of any trade), OF WHATSOEVER CRAFT HE BE, SHALL BE FOUND
ANY MORE IN THEE; AND THE SOUND OF A MILLSTONE (or mill) SHALL BE HEARD NO MORE
AT ALL IN THEE;
Rev 18:23-AND THE LIGHT OF A CANDLE (or lamp) SHALL SHINE
NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE; AND THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM AND OF THE BRIDE SHALL
BE HEARD NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE: FOR THY MERCHANTS (or businessmen) WERE THE
GREAT MEN (or most powerful) OF THE EARTH; FOR BY THY SORCERIES (or magic spell)
WERE ALL NATIONS DECEIVED (or led astray).

Rev
18:24-AND IN HER WAS FOUND THE BLOOD OF PROPHETS, AND OF SAINTS (or God's people),
AND OF ALL THAT WERE SLAIN (or slaughtered, or killed) UPON THE EARTH.

11-The
Destruction of the Whore

The
ten kings and Antichrist hate the whore.
No wailing or mourning of the people is mentioned.
The length of time for her destruction is not specifically
given.
She is destroyed by the ten kings and possibly the beast-ref
Rev 17:16.
Her judgment is of the Lord-ref-Rev 19:2.
She is destroyed by fire-ref Rev 17:16.
The whore may be destroyed about the time that the Antichrist
declares himself to be God; however, this is not made clear in the Scriptures.

12-The
Destruction of the Woman (or City)

No
mention is made of the woman being hated by the ten kings.
There is great mourning.
Her judgment comes in one hour-ref Rev 18:10.
The Lord God judges her-ref Rev 18:8.
She shall be burned with fire-ref Rev 18:8.
She shall be thrown down with violence-ref Rev 18:21.
The destruction of the whore and the destruction of the city
are similar, but there are certain differences. It is possible that these could
be two separate events, at two different times. There is no mention that the
ten kings shall destroy Rome as they do the great whore. Should the great whore
be destroyed around the beginning of the second part of the Tribulation, it
appears the ten kings would be present in Rome to destroy her with fire; however,
the Antichrist should be in Jerusalem at the temple. (Note Rev 18:8.)
The destruction of Rome may not come until later in the Tribulation.
However, it seems certain that it will not be at the time of Armageddon, because
the merchants and shipmasters are crying over her. If it were at the time of
Armageddon, they should be fleeing for their lives, and saying, TO THE MOUNTAINS
AND ROCKS, FALL ON US, AND HIDE US FROM THE FACE OF HIM THAT SITTETH ON THE
THRONE, AND FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB-Rev 6:16. Again, the Scriptures are not
clear regarding the exact time that Rome shall be destroyed, but it could possibly
be near the end of the Tribulation.
Nevertheless, the ten kings appear to be present at Armageddon-ref
Rev 17:12-14.

13-A
Note to Consider

Some
may think that the term "Babylon is fallen, is fallen" being used
twice denotes, first the old Babylon of thousands of years ago and then Rome
thereafter. Some have also suggested that the Antichrist may change the name
of the city of Rome to Babylon during the Tribulation. Note the headings of
the Catholic church for specifics on why the Revelation refers to Rome as Babylon.

14-DO
THE PROPHECIES PROVE THAT BABYLON IS REALLY ROME?

ROME

BABYLON

Yes-a great city-17:18

yes

Yes-full of names
of blasphemy-17:3

yes

Yes-sits on seven
hills or mountains-17:9

no

Yes-arrayed in purple
and scarlet color-17:4

unknown

Yes-decked with gold-17:4

yes

Yes-decked with…precious
stones-17:4

yes

Yes-decked with…pearls-17:4

unknown

Yes-having a golden
cup-17:4

unknown

Yes-full of abominations-17:4

yes

Yes-upon her forehead…a
name written-17:5

unknown

Yes-Mystery, Babylon
the Great, the Mother of Harlots-17:5

yes

Yes-and Abominations
of the Earth-17:5

yes

Yes-drunken with the
blood of the saints-17:6

yes

Yes-drunken with the
blood of the…martyrs of Jesus-17:6

no

Yes-apostles killed
there-18:20

no

Yes-blood of prophets
found there-18:20

unknown

Yes-kings have committed
fornication with her-18:3,9

yes

Yes-kings have lived
deliciously-18:9

yes

Yes-merchants have
grown rich through her-18:3,15

yes

Yes-thy merchants
were the great men of the earth-18:23

unknown

Yes-she had an abundance
of delicacies-18:3

yes

Yes-great sin-18:4

yes

Yes-glorified herself-18:7

yes

Yes-lived deliciously-18:7

yes

Yes-she saith…I sit
a queen, and am no widow-18:7

perhaps

Yes-she saith…I...shall
see no sorrow-18:7

perhaps

Yes-abundance of wealth-18:19

yes

Yes-is near the sea-18:17-19

no

Note,
approaching the end of the Tribulation, the Euphrates will be dried up. It would
be impossible for ships to stand afar off and watch her burning.
Also to be considered, will anything remain of either Iraq
or Iran after what may be termed WW III, which happens during the first part
of the Tribulation? Ancient Babylon was located in Iraq.

Yes,
every prophecy fits Rome. Yes, every prophecy fits the Roman Catholic Church.
No other city in the world fits every single prophecy. In addition, no other
city has a worldwide religion that fits every prophecy in these verses and is
also integrated into a city that fits every prophecy.
Several of the prophecies could not fit a rebuilt Babylon
in Iraq. In addition, it is written of old Babylon, IT SHALL NEVER BE INHABITED,
NEITHER SHALL IT BE DWELT IN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION...WILD BEASTS OF
THE DESERT SHALL LIE THERE; AND THEIR HOUSES SHALL BE FULL OF DOLEFUL CREATURES;
AND OWLS SHALL DWELL THERE, AND SATYRS SHALL DANCE THERE-Isa 13:20,21.
There are some that say this prophecy has never been fulfilled.